What are the requirements for lead paint stabilization?

MEC Environmental Inc

Lead paint stabilization is a method of interim control. Unlike lead paint abatement, stabilization and other interim controlsbucket of paint lead are meant to temporarily reduce exposure to lead paint hazards. Repairing physical defects that cause paint deterioration, removing loose paint and other material from surfaces containing lead paint, and applying new paint or protective coatings are all methods of stabilization.

Stabilization and other interim controls are generally favored over permanent abatement when the lead paint-containing surfaces are intact and the building is structurally sound, or if the building containing the lead hazard is slated for demolition or renovation within the next few years. In situations such as these, lead exposure results primarily from chipping paint, lead dust, and/or lead-contaminated soil, and stabilization is sufficient to remove the lead hazard. Lead paint stabilization is also sometimes used when permanent abatement is not financially possible.

Despite its advantages, there are some requirements and regulations that must be observed when performing lead paint stabilization. Anyone performing lead paint stabilization must be trained according to the Occupation Safety and Health Administration’s Hazard Communication requirements and must either be supervised by a certified lead paint abatement supervisor or have completed a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-approved training course. In addition, when performing lead paint stabilization, there are three operations that must be performed. First, any physical defect in the paint surface which may be causing deterioration must be repaired. Then, any loose paint or other material on the paint surface must be removed. Finally, a new protective coating must be applied.

Anyone performing lead paint stabilization must also observe HUD safe work practices. The HUD safe work practices have four components: occupant protection, worksite preparation and containment, prohibited methods, and worksite cleanup. Occupant protection involves protecting occupants of the home or building where the lead paint is being stabilized from dangerous exposure to lead. Occupants must not enter the worksite during stabilization, and in some cases may need to vacate the building entirely for the duration of stabilization activities. The occupants’ belongings must also be covered or sealed to prevent them from being contaminated with lead dust. The second component of safe work practices, worksite preparation, and containment involve with making sure the work site is properly prepared to ensure that lead dust and lead-contaminated debris do not leave the worksite during stabilization activities. Warning signs must also be placed at each entrance where Lead Hazard Reduction activities are being performed. Prohibited methods, the third component of safe work practices, is put in place to ensure that unsafe methods are not used to stabilize lead paint. Prohibited methods of work include power sanding or aggressive mechanical means of lead paint removal without proper vacuum recovery of dust. The final component, worksite cleanup, involves removing all dust and debris from the work area, using approved methods, and ensuring that it is safe for occupation.

Do I need to remove asbestos from a building before it is demolished?

MEC Environmental Inc

The short answer is yes. building demo asbestos

Asbestos can be found in many materials throughout a single building. Because asbestos is so distinctive, it has been used in the making of insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, wall texture material, and much more. The qualities that asbestos has are invaluable in the products that contain them. Unfortunately, once asbestos has been disturbed or broken down, it can become hazardous. Asbestos will continue breaking down into smaller fibers which can be harmful when they are inhaled. Once these fibers are in the lungs they begin to scar and damage tissues leading to asbestos-related diseases including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and even lung cancer. For all these reasons it is plain to see that every precaution needs to be taken to reduce the number of asbestos fibers released into the environment. To reduce the amount of asbestos released during demolition, the EPA and the National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) have specific regulations that must be followed. Three pertinent guidelines during demolition involve a building inspection, regulatory notifications, removal of asbestos materials, and proper disposal. If building owners follow the established requirements they can guarantee a safe demolition as well as avoid any fines associated with improper work practices.

Before demolition can begin there needs to be a thorough inspection of the entire building. This inspection needs to be performed by a licensed, certified Building Inspector specifically trained to test for asbestos. This inspection will include not only a visual inspection for asbestos materials but samples must also be taken and analyzed to confirm the presence or absence of asbestos. If there is no inspection done on the building, everything must be treated as asbestos-containing. This method is usually more expensive than removing known asbestos materials prior to demolition. There are very few situations where this would be the case. For example, if a building burned down without having any survey on record, everything in the ruble would need to be treated as asbestos because there is no way to separate it.

If asbestos is present in a building, it can be categorized in one of three ways; friable, category I non-friable, or category II non-friable. Friable asbestos is any material that contains more than 1% asbestos and can be pulverized by hand pressure, turning it into powder. In a demolition situation, everything categorized as friable asbestos needs to be removed before the destruction. The other category of asbestos is non-friable which is broken up into category I and category II. Category I non-friable asbestos is asbestos-containing packing materials, gasketing, resilient floor coverings, asphalt, and roofing products. On the other hand, category II non-friable is categorized as anything that is not considered in category I. The most prominent category II product is transite siding very brittle cement type sheeting). In a demolition project, category II non-friable asbestos must be removed because it can become friable and hazardous during the demolition process. According to NESHAP any material defined as RACM (regulated asbestos-containing material) must be removed before demolition. Due to this regulation, friable asbestos must be removed as well as any category I that may be subject to sanding, cutting, or grinding. Also, category II asbestos that has a high probability of becoming pulverized during the course of demolition; like transite siding must be removed. There are specific notification requirements to various regulatory agencies prior to the demolition of any building. These notifications will include the USEPA and other state or local agencies depending on the location of the building. Notification information will include the following: identification of all suspect material, the quantity of ACM, location, and condition of ACM. There may be additional notification requirements depending on location, so check before proceeding with any demolition project.

Can I remove PCBs from my building?

MEC Environmental Inc

There are no laws expressly forbidding you from removing PCB’s yourself. However, PCB’s can negatively impact both humanPCB removal health and the environment. They are known to cause cancer and to adversely affect the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, and endocrine system. In addition, PCB’s do not easily break down, and therefore remain in the environment for a long time. They cycle between air, water, and soil, can accumulate in small organisms as well as leaves and the above-ground parts of plants and food crops, and can be carried a long way from the source of the contamination. Therefore, it is very important that PCB’s are removed safely and disposed of properly. For this reason, the EPA strongly recommends that PCB removal be carried out by an experienced contractor.

Even if PCB’s are removed by an experienced contractor, it is important that the removal process is carried out properly and safely in order to protect the environment, your health, and the health of others. All caulk that contains more than 50 ppm of PCB’s, or any materials coated with such caulk, must be removed. Caulk containing less than 50 ppm of PCB’s does not need to be removed. When removing PCB-containing caulk, protective clothing such as facemasks and gloves should be worn at all times in order to prevent injury. After the caulk has been removed, it must be managed and disposed of as a “PCB bulk product waste.”

Florescent light ballasts are a common source of PCBs. The EPA does not necessarily recommend an experienced contractor to remove PCB light ballasts, but any person performing this task should be properly trained. Therefore, if you or any of your building’s staff have training in this area, there is no reason why you should not be able to remove PCB containing ballasts yourself. If neither you nor any of your building staff have such training, it is recommended that you hire an experienced contractor. Before removing PCB light ballasts, you should disconnect all power and de-energize the ballasts (this should be done under the supervision of a licensed electrician). It is important to inspect the ballasts for any signs of leakage before they are removed. Leaking ballasts should be separated from non-leaking ballasts for packing and disposal. Always wear proper personal protective equipment when handling PCB containing ballasts. When removing the ballasts, you should have appropriate containers and packing materials ready to place the ballasts in to minimize the possibility of other materials becoming contaminated with PCB’s. After the ballasts are removed, they must be packaged according to all federal, state, and local regulations. They should then be stored safely until they can be disposed of. In addition, detailed records should be kept of all removed PCB-containing light ballasts. These records should indicate the date of removal, how many ballasts were removed from each area, where the ballasts were located, and how many ballasts were leaking. You should include the person or company performing the work, and information regarding the manifesting and location of disposal.

Apart from caulk and fluorescent light ballasts, PCB’s can often be found in electrical transformers and capacitors in some older appliances (air conditioners are a common example). Again, it is important to ware proper protective clothing and equipment at all times when removing PCB-containing capacitors. After removal, PCB-containing capacitors should of course be packaged in approved containers, stored, and disposed of according to all federal, state, and local regulations.

What constitutes a lead hazard?

MEC Environmental Inc

A lead hazard is defined as any environmental condition that may cause lead exposure and ultimately lead poisoning. LeadEnvironmental Remediation exposure occurs when lead builds up in the body, generally over a period of months or years. However, children are more at risk for lead poisoning because their smaller bodies are in a continuous state of growth and development. Lead is absorbed at a faster rate compared to adults, which causes more physical harm than to older people. Furthermore, children, especially as they are learning to crawl and walk, are constantly on the floor and therefore more prone to ingesting and inhaling dust that is contaminated with lead. Lead poisoning is a serious condition and affects almost all body systems. In high levels, it can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. In lower levels, it adversely affects the kidneys, brain, central nervous system, and blood cells. Lead exposure has particularly serious effects on young children, causing delays in mental and physical development, lower IQ levels, shorter attention spans, and behavioral problems. It can also cause learning difficulties and slowed growth in newborns exposed before birth.

Lead-based paint is the biggest source of lead exposure in the U.S. today. Most buildings built before 1960 have lead-based paint, and buildings built as late as 1978 may also have lead-based paint. Lead-based paint which is in good condition (i.e. not peeling or chipping) generally does not pose a threat and should be left alone. However, lead-based paint that is chipping, peeling, or otherwise damaged or deteriorated is considered a “lead hazard” and can be a major health risk.

Lead dust can also be very dangerous. Leaded dust is created, or released, when surfaces with lead-based paint deteriorate, when they rub against other surfaces (such as window sashes on frequently used windows) or when they are impacted (such as stair risers). US EPA and HUD have developed action levels which define when a leaded dust hazard is present. These action levels are 40 micrograms of lead per square foot (μg/ft2) on floors, both exterior and interior, 250 μg /ft2 on window sills or interior horizontal surfaces, and 400 μg /ft2 on window wells.

Lead in soil is another common cause of lead exposure. Soil generally becomes contaminated with lead due to lead-based paint chipping off of the outsides of homes and buildings, or due to car exhaust from leaded gasoline (which is no longer used). Soil which is near roads, older homes, buildings and industrial facilities is most likely to be contaminated with lead. Most soil must contain at least 1000 parts per million (ppm) of lead before it is considered a lead hazard. However, bare soil in children’s play areas is considered a lead hazard if it contains 400 ppm of lead or more.

How can I get rid of mold?

MEC Environmental Inc

Mold may cause health problems for certain individuals when they are exposed to spores in the air. Molds can produceMold image allergens, irritants, and occasionally toxic substances. Allergic reactions to mold generally result in symptoms similar to those of hay fever, and mold can also cause asthma attacks in asthmatics. Even for people who are not allergic to mold, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Mold can also cause damage to the surfaces on which it grows. For these reasons, it is important that you remove any mold that may be growing in your building, as well as preventing further mold growth.

The most important step in mold removal and prevention is moisture control. Mold needs moisture to grow, so the best way to permanently get rid of mold is to determine and eliminate the source of excess moisture. Any leaking plumbing should be fixed, and any other sources of moisture should be identified and eliminated. Moisture levels should be monitored consistently in order to maintain a mold-free building.

After the moisture problem is eliminated, the mold can be removed and surfaces treated. How mold should be treated will depend on where the mold is located, as well as how much mold is present. Generally, porous types of material such as cardboard boxes, stuffed animal toys, and similar items that have mold on them should be discarded. Mold is not considered a hazardous waste, so mold-contaminated items can be taken to any landfill. However, it is recommended that you seal mold-contaminated materials in plastic bags to prevent the spread of mold spores. Cloth materials with mold growing on them should be washed in hot water. If they cannot be washed in hot water, they should be discarded.

In general, mold growing on a hard surface that covers an area less than 10 square feet can be removed by washing the surface with soapy water. In some cases, scrubbing with a brush may be necessary to completely remove the mold build-up. The EPA and CDC agree that bleach and other biocides should not be used to remove mold. While these substances will kill and decolorize mold, they will not remove it as well as warm water with detergent. Dead mold can still cause health problems, and it is not necessarily to kill mold to remove it. Any areas of mold growth larger than 10 square feet should be cleaned by a professional. There are also commercially sold products available that will do a good job at removing mold.

It is important to remember that there will always be mold spores present, even in the cleanest house. Even if all mold spores could be removed from a building, spores from the outside will continue to enter the building. Mold must have moisture to grow. Be sure to keep humidity levels low to keep mold from growing.

Do I need a permit to remove asbestos from my home?

MEC Environmental Inc

Asbestos is most commonly found behind walls or above ceilings in insulation. There are two types of insulation that mayAsbestos containment contain asbestos: insulation made with asbestos, which is most often found in houses built between 1930 and 1950, and vermiculite insulation. 70% of the vermiculite insulation in buildings today was manufactured at a site in Libby, Montana that was contaminated with asbestos, so if you have vermiculite insulation in your building, it is very likely that it contains asbestos. Asbestos can also be found in cement sheeting behind walls, patching and joint compound in walls or ceilings, textured paint on walls or ceilings, and acoustic ceiling tiles.

Don’t panic if you have asbestos insulation or any other asbestos material behind walls or ceilings in your building. As long as the asbestos material remains behind the walls or ceilings, it is not dangerous. Even nail holes and similar minor damage to walls that enclose asbestos materials are not large enough to create a health risk. If you suspect that there may be asbestos materials behind the walls or above the ceilings of your building, the best course of action is to leave them alone and take care not to damage or disturb them.

The one case in which you may need to remove intact asbestos materials behind walls or above ceilings is if you are planning a renovation or demolition which would disturb these materials. If the asbestos material is friable or is considered regulated asbestos-containing material, it must be removed before demolition. Category II non-friable asbestos materials, which have a high probability of being crumbled or pulverized, must also be removed prior to demolition. Category I non-friable asbestos materials that are in good condition, however, do not have to be removed prior to demolition unless the building will be demolished by intentional burning. If you are planning a renovation which would require you to either damage or go behind walls which you think may enclose asbestos materials, you should contact an asbestos professional, who can tell you whether or not your walls and ceilings do have asbestos behind them.

If a large portion of the asbestos material is somehow exposed, do not disturb it, but check it regularly for signs of damage or deterioration. If the asbestos material is damaged or deteriorated in any way, you should call in an asbestos professional immediately to remove or repair it. Removal may not be necessarily—if possible and practical, the asbestos professional will either seal or cover the damage to prevent the asbestos material from releasing fibers into the air. If the damage is too severe, however, the asbestos professional may have to remove the asbestos materials completely.